CENTURY'S LONGEST LUNAR ECLIPSE JULY 27th 2018
The
full moon on the night of July 27-28, 2018, presents the longest
total lunar eclipse of the 21st century (2001 to 2100). The total
phase of the eclipse – called the totality
–
spans
1 hour 42 minutes and 57 seconds.
Adding
to the excitement on eclipse night … this eclipse will happen on
the same night that Earth is passing between the sun and Mars,
placing Mars at opposition in our sky. In one of the sky’s
wonderful coincidences, the Mars opposition
happens
on July 27, too.
It’s
not just any Mars opposition, but the best
Mars opposition since 2003.
Mars is very bright and red throughout July and August, 2018. But
eclipse night will be a very special night. On July 27, the sun,
Earth and moon are aligned – placing the moon opposite the sun in
our sky – producing an eclipse as Earth’s shadow falls on the
moon’s face. On the same night, the sun, Earth and Mars are also
aligned, bringing Mars also opposite the sun in our sky, just like
the full moon. That’s fun to think about, but there’s more for
those who plan to observe the eclipse.
Picture it, if
you will. During the long total phase of the July 27, 2018, lunar
eclipse – the totality – the moon will turn red from sunlight
filtering through Earth’s atmosphere onto the moon’s surface. And
Mars will be near the moon, exceptionally bright – brighter than
since 2003 – and red in color also.
